J.R.'s Profile
Paris for the month of July with 11 and 13 yr olds
Greetings Chow Nation,
We are finally pulling the trigger on the month in Paris with the kids. We are staying in an apartment in the 7th on the intersection of Ave. Rapp and Rue St. Dominque. I've spent a considerable amount of time in Paris on business/pleasure over the past 10 yrs or so. I speak kitchen french and am able to get around pretty well. I would really appreciate any suggestions on dinning, markets, groceries, wine shops, boulangeries, fromaggeries, good cafe's, neighborhood specific things to do as a family. The kids are civilized and are Chow-juniors. We are not going with alot of structure and will cook alot of meals in the apt. Any helpful hints or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Things we have planned are:
Day trip to Champagne (Roderrer) with lunch at Le Crayeres (that's our really fancy meal)
Day trip to Versilles
Usual Museams
Lots of parc picnics
Day trip to Normanday (yes, its busy but I've done it)
Cafe Constant
Fountaine du Mars
Sancerre (alot) - right across the street)
Jacques Melac
Paul Bert
Poulaine bread with market stuff for homemade Tartine
Thanks in advance...J.R.
Review: First Bijoux Visit Since Change
good to know. I usually go to the one in 6th. You are correct. That's good eating.
Review: First Bijoux Visit Since Change
Great to hear the cooking quality has remained. Also, glad to hear about the scallops being better than JR's. (which one did you go to)? I love that place.
Recap of our Boston St. Paddy's Weekend Dining
You are welcome. It's the only way to be a real hound. gotta share. In fact, I got alot of ideas from your posts.
Recap of our Boston St. Paddy's Weekend Dining
Indeed we was there then. We were sitting right next to you guys at the end of the bar.(probably looking like tourists) Ya'll had cupcakes and everything! Looked like it was a fun party. Thanks for mentioning!!!!!!
Recap of our Boston St. Paddy's Weekend Dining
Hello Boston Hounds,
As per usual when traveling, I searched the chow board as the basis for full-throttle chowing. My wife and I spent 4 days last weekend in your great city from Dallas to check the box of watching Boston's own Dropkick Murphys on St. Paddys day and enjoying the city during the time. Please find our dining details below. Thanks for all the suggestions I was able to gleen.
Neptune Oyster - Had a dozen of different local oysters as an app. prior to the meal below since we were in the neighborhood. They were all fantastic. I'd been there on a previous trip and I really like it.
Terramia - Ok, here is the only mis. I had been there a couple of times in the past (4or5yrs ago) and really loved the open face seafood ravioli and wanted it again as I remembered that it was that good. Well, it wasn't this time. The pasta was hard and the scallops and shrimp had a faint amonia taste (you know what that means). My wife had sausage and polenta dish. The sausage was undercooked and that is never good. It bad. Oh well, it is straight up from there.
The Druid - Had lunch on Friday at the Druid based upon input from the board. Wow, what I find. One of the best pubs stateside that I have ever been to. Seemed to be mostly all locals there. The staff was absoultely superb and friendly. The 2 pints of Guiness were perfectly drawn. The fish and chips were as good as advertised. Really light battered cod, cooked perfectly with hose made fries all wraped up like Jiffy Pop in newpaper. Wife had beef stew which had large chunks of beef with very fresh green beans, potatoes, and carrots. Great Irish bread with Irish butter. Heck they even had Chef's brown sauce from Ireland instead of the much more used HP from Brittan. Can't say enough about how we like everything here. Thanks to the staff for showing us out of towners a great time.
Craggie On Main - After kicking around Cambridge for the day, we tucked in to Craggie on Main for dinner. Oh my, this place knocked it out of the park. I had the 9 course tasting menu and my wife had the 7 course vegetarian tasting menu (she's not vegetarian). Firstly, what a great looking place inside with the open kitchen in the middle of the restaurant on the bar on the other side. I've been fortunate to eat all over the country and worl and take it pretty seriously. I'll tell you that this is some world class cooking at Craggie. From the amazing, well made bread, to the well chosen wine list, it was all superb. I don't have the words to recant the entire tasting, but not one dish was less than spectacular. Also, the staff was empecably trained and very knowledgeble. This is a truly great American Restaurant, IMO.
Galleria Umberto - Tried to get into Neptune for early lunch on Sat.(St. Paddys) but there was an hour wait, so we decided to pop into Galleria Umberto for quick lunch since we were in the hood. Really like this place too. Had a square of pizza and an Arancini. Pizza was definatley different, but perfectly cooked with goopd color on the cheese that I like. The Arancini was big, hot, crunchy and filled with meat sauce and Mozz. Perfect lite lunch.
Island Creek Oyster- Wife was tired and full and went back to the hotel as we were up for a late night, later. So, I went over and bellied up to the bar around 4:30 when they opened. The bar staff was really friendly and helpful in suggestion wine pairing for the dishes I tried. Had a dozen local oysters and clams to start paired with a sparkeling Muscadet (which I didn't even knew existed). Had a bowl of clam chowder which was excelent with house made biscuits instead of oyster crackers floating in it. The bartender recommended an oyster slider which was fab. It came on a freshly made roll with pickeled onions and spicey aioli. Being from the south and spending lots of time in NOLA eating Oyster Po Boys, this slider was right up there. Finished with a Lobster Roll. It was very traditional with a little Mayo, little Celery, lots of tail, and claw meat on a home baked roll. I really like the openness of this place compared to say Neptune. It got crowded and festive in a hurry. I'd highly recommend.
Summer Shack - Yes, I know he's got a few of them, but I was going to have a Lobster and and fried belly clams before I left. There was one close to our hotel in the Copley Square as we were pressed for time getting to the Parade in Southie before we caught our flight home. So, I had fried Belly Clams which were fine. A little oily, maybe. Then I opted for the 2 lb Pan Roasted Lobster in Bourbon Sauce. I'd had this before at the Mothership in Cambridge when it first opened. It is a dang good preparation of Lobster IMO. I really liked it. My wife had the fried chicken which was also very good.
Well that was it except for many pint and Irish Whiskey at McGreely's on Boylston while watching March Madness. Not terribly chowish, but a fine place to watch sports, listen to good music and drink.
In closing, everyone we met in Boston was just so nice and helpful. We really enjoyed our time in your great city.
Bijoux going Bistro (at least it isn't becoming another steak house!)
I think the Mansion has done a really nice job of making the dining room and required attire more casual but increasing the cooking level and ingredients to higher level than it has been in a long, long time.. Bruno can cook.
Best Day Trips for Lunch
I vote for Mary's. We stop in there many times a year on our way to our ranch in W. Texas. CFS is good as you will find IMO. (I'm native). It is different, however. It is fried on a griddle instead of being deep fried or pan fried. That preparation seems to make that heavy dish a bit lighter. The meat they use seems to have a much deeper flavor. Their gravy hits the mark also. It is defiantely homemade as note by the brown tinge it has. Lots of black pepper also. Mashed potatoes are the weak link. They seem to have vinegar in them. Opt for homemade fries instead. Unfortunately, I'm alway driving the family and not close to my destination to enjoy the frosty schooners of beer. It is definately a joint also.
best fresh tomatoes
I'm of the opinion that they are just not available at this time of year. Depending on preparation, I use good canned San Marzano tomatoes. If you are looking for tomatoes to eat in a raw preparation, I just wait until July or so. Just my take.
Dallas to Austin Road Food
I'd throw in George's in Waco (exit 18th, right of 35) for Chicken Fried Steak or Cheeseburger Basket washed down with the famous Big O. About as good of a Texas Bar and Grill you'll find. A great mix of locals and college kids that just works.
Maple & Motor?
Yep. MM is a great spot with a great burger. Closing in on Institutional status in it's young life, IMO. It's just got a great vibe.
No longer BYOB/W
Yep, I was in Bambu for lunch 2 weeks ago when she told me that she had just received her liquor license. Oh well, that does stink. We went to North China in Plano last weekend which is BYOW and I must say, I loved that place. Northern China cuisine with lots of lamb ect. Really , Really good. they had decent glassware and didn't rush us at all like many Chinese places do. (1st Chinese BBQ). It was worth the drive to Plano on a Friday night even.
DFW to Texarkana
t,
that's a tough one.have to drive to Arkasas twice a year to take our son to camp. that drive is a culinary wastland. I think I remember a Bodacious BBQ along the way, but can't remember where. Anyone els have the 20 on it?
Meatless in January. Help!
Vegan,
Yes, no seafood either. 10 days and counting and not bad at all. Been going to Kalachandi's for a long time. Love that place. Fadi's is a staple as the one on Knox is close. I'l have to try VSPOT. How about Cosmic Cafe?
Thanks to everyone for their suggestion. I definately have plenty to live on for the next 3 weeks or so. I cook alot, so it's not hard to eat Veggie/Vegan when you know what goes in it. I find the the Chick Pea is definately my friend.
Meatless in January. Help!
No, not to loose weight, although that wouldn't hurt. Just trying to get the body regulated a little bit. I'm trying to be vegetarian whilst eating health as those are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
Meatless in January. Help!
Didn't say I'd make it...but what the heck. Most of my friends have set the over/under at 15 days. We'll see.
King's Noodles - Richardson
The shrimp and pork wonton noodle soup (beef shank soup with wontons) mentioned above rates as just about the best soup in Dallas IMO.
Meatless in January. Help!
wow, what a start. yes, it includes a little bit of fish and some cheese. Good Veggie Burger spot and Falalfel Sanwich wih garlic sauce and hot sauce, maybee?
Meatless in January. Help!
Ok, so I'm going meatless and boozless in Jan. and need any suggestions you fine folks may have. I'm fairly focused on ethinic as you can eat vegetarian with some actual flavor. I'm fairly familiar with most of the places mentioned here, but would love to hear about specific dishes that would fit the bill. Spice is Nice.
Telluride
Happened into There last night and wow was it terrific. As mentioned, very speakeasy feel. Owner is behind the bar and the service was just stellar. I had oysters, Buffalo Tartar, Grilled Salmon Yakitori style, frid Brussel Sprouts. Can recomend this place Enough. Going to Allred's tonight and Rustico for lunch and will report back.
Where can I find good pizza in Dallas?
ah Mamma's Pizza. Being raised in Carrollton circa 1978....I hear ya. I'm going to have to make the trek to Keller to give it a Nostalgia Spin.
Lamb Ribs?
Hey, Hey...Almost a year later and the Chownation comes through. I'm on it for the weekend. I work in that neiborhood which makes it even more handy. Thanks to everyone.
[DFW] Best Place to find cold or cool eats [DFW}
Cold DanDan Nooles
Vermicelli dishes at good Vietnamese places
Boild/chilled shrimp
Langoustines at Costco
Wow. I'll definately give that a try. thanks for the heads up, LH.
Langoustines at Costco
Was in Costco on 75 yestereday and was perusing the fish case and noticed that they had Langoustine tails (prev. frozed) for $11/lb so i thought what the heck. Not bad and something differnt. I don't know about the provenace of them, but they were pretty good and something different. I cooked with past as they were smallish. Just thought I'd throw it out there in case anyone was interested.
Food recs driving from Dallas to Gulf Shores
I did some serious resarch on this subject when we drove to Seaside last summer. Check out the Ole Thyme Grocery in Lafayette for awesome Po Boys. Also, whilst in Layfayette, swing by Don's Specialty meats and get several pounds of the best Boudain you've had to take with you to beach. they also have fresh "cracklins" which are really good also if you like fresh fried pork fat.
